Overview & Reviews

A relative newcomer to the American marketplace, Hyundai is a Korean automaker with a product line that has improved greatly over the past decade. Hyundai cars and SUVs provide a high level of content for an affordable price, and are currently backed by one of the industry's longest warranties.

In 1947, Chung Ju Yung founded the Hyundai Civil Engineering Company. Mere months later, the outfit was bombed in the Korean War. However, the company regained its footing to distinguish itself as one of Korea's leading construction enterprises during the 1950s.

By the late 1960s, Chung had turned his attention to the automobile industry. The Korean government at that time believed that it made more sense to import vehicles than produce them domestically, and had made its opinion known. Still, Chung opted to follow his own convictions, and in 1967, he founded the Hyundai Motor Company.

The company quickly established an alliance with one of the industry's oldest automakers, signing a two-year contract with Ford in 1968 to share assembly technology. Hyundai's first car, the Cortina, was created from that partnership. The manufacturer's first car to be designed and built in Korea was the compact Pony (although the car was based on Japanese technology courtesy of Mitsubishi). The vehicle made its debut in 1974, and the following year Hyundai began exporting it to overseas markets.

Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 with the introduction of its subcompact Excel. The car was an immediate hit, with its supreme affordability being a primary selling point. More than 100,000 Excels were sold stateside in the first seven months. By 1988, Hyundai had begun to produce cars using its own technology. The midsize Sonata was the first fruit borne of this endeavor.

Unfortunately, Hyundai's nascent image was soon tarnished by the poor durability and reliability of its vehicles. Sales tanked. However, rather than abandon the American market in the '90s, Hyundai chose to invest heavily in new product designs and improvements in overall quality and reliability. In 1998, Hyundai also purchased Kia, another Korean automaker, to expand its business and economies of scale.

It all started to pay off by the start of the new millennium, with the 2001 Elantra in particular showing massive improvements in overall quality, reliability and performance. Other models followed suit and the desirability of Hyundai cars increased sharply. Providing an extraordinarily long warranty period didn't hurt either.

Today's lineup is indicative of Hyundai's complete turnaround. Hyundai has a vehicle for nearly every segment, including the economical Accent subcompact, the popular Elantra compact, the midsize Sonata sedan (also available as a hybrid), sporty Genesis and Veloster coupes and a couple of stylish SUVs. Hyundai has also expanded into the entry-level and premium-level luxury sedan markets with its Genesis and Equus sedans. Having gone from being the butt of late-night TV jokes in the 1980s to a well-respected manufacturer of quality vehicles, Hyundai has created a very inspiring rags-to-riches story.

User Reviews:

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  Airbags Failed In High Impact Crash - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Lucky - January 29 - 12:53 pm

  Airbags failed to deploy in a collision traveling at 55 mph and then hitting an embankment as well. Read NHTSA and other consumer complaints regarding this problem with the Accent and other Hyundais and dont find out the hard way. We were very fortunate and everyone walked away from this death trap! Other prior problems include cheap tires from manufacturer that manufacturer and dealership did nothing to correct - referred to tire maker who said they didnt care about the complaint - no exaggeration! And of course car is very uncomfortable.

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  It Sold Itself - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Buff - January 29 - 9:26 am

  While my wife and I was looking for a decent economy car for our daughter, we bought one of the best driving experiences Ive ever had. The steering is tight and precise, and the turbo is more than quick enough for a normal commuter dodging cell-phone-users on the interstate. People in every parking lot Ive been in stare at it. The fact its a Hyundai blows them away. The only downside for me is that it is my daughters...

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  Alot of car for the money - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Savina - January 29 - 9:00 am

  Great Car for driving. Alot ofluxury for the money. Built solid and i get alot of complements from people when thet see the car. they cant believe it is a hyundai. when you drive the car you do not feel the road and handles beautifully. i think hydundai will be a car that honda and toyota will have to complete against. i owed a toyota since 1992, and when i purchase my second toyota in 1998, i noticed it was not the same at their past quality of car.

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  Economical fun - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By cocnutz - January 29 - 5:23 am

  Rides well. Not great fuel economy. Paid $50.00 less than msrp with a trade- in vehicle, also a Hyundai.

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  Bad car!! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Roomraider33 - January 28 - 8:58 pm

  We bought this car with 68000 miles on it. The car was nice looking more on the richy side. when we drove it for more the 25 minutes the trany got hot. To back up it felt like you hit someone when you didnt. The paint on the bumpers would come up every time i washed it. Then the air bag light came on if we repair it the cost will be $1000. The spark plugs needed replaced well that bill was $400 because the had to take part of the motor to change them. loved the inside but overall bad bad car!!!!!!!

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  My Hyundai - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By cmwolff - January 28 - 2:05 pm

  I bought my car used about 11 months ago with 23000 miles. I now have 28000 miles. In that 5000 miles, it has been in the shop twice for engine knock. The second time they had to call Hyundai tech support twice. I didnt pay anything,and it doesnt knock anymore, but hmmmmm.... I also think the rear suspension has always been a little noisy, but now after the coldest January in 30 years,it sounds like I may have a rear strut problem. It kinda sounds like the car is banging on the frame. I will have this checked next time its in. Im disappointed because I really do like this car. Hopefully its nothing and I will be a happy girl for a long long time. Wish I would have gotten the xm radio.

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  Love my Tuscon - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By melanie maranise - January 28 - 3:20 am

  I did a lot of research before this purchase knowing I would keep this car many years. My family (husband and 2 kids)are all over 6,so I needed a car with legroom. This suv has plenty of room in the front and back. I also have all the cargo space I need. The Santa Fe has more cargo space but I liked the interior design of the Tuscon better. Just a personal choice.

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  Control arm?? Not - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By dogmollie - January 27 - 10:48 pm

  100,000.00 miles nothing covered, car has 74,000 control arm broke??? Not covered, pulled out transmission, not covered. Dont buy these cars the warranty is a joke, hey they let you talk to a consumer advocate, huh right they consume your money. This was my second Hyundai first one lasted 225,000 miles and was running well when I sold it. This is my last Hyundai and I tell everyone I talk to to avoid these cars now. They changed something, and no longer need loyal consumers. Stay away from these cars.

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  Two surprises - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Ed - January 27 - 11:56 am

  Imagine my surprise when I found that there is no warning device for the front seat passenger to tell them their seat belt is not fastened. Vehicle has the wimpiest horn Ive ever heard.

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  Couldnt ask for better - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By gambler2 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I have over 33,000 miles on my GT. I have only replaced one headlamp in addition to the regular maintainence. I usually get between 28 and 33 mpg. Most of my driving is at 45-70 mph. Im very satisfied!